Tourism generates US$1 billion (UGX2.7 trillion) for Uganda, Boosts Exports and Growth

Greetings Friends,
The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA), in partnership with The World Bank and DFID has launched a report Economic and Statistical Analysis of Tourism in Uganda - Attached, is the e-copy and a press release(See attached file: Tourism in Uganda.revised. July 30.2013.docx)
(See attached file: Tourism in Uganda.pdf)
The report is a sequel to the Rapid Tourism Sector Assessment delivered last year. It shows, on the basis of robust statistical and economic analysis, how tourism in Uganda --  especially the nature-based tourism segment which contributes most to the economy -- can be further developed by targeting a policies and investments, including (i) investing in natural assets and management of national parks that drive Uganda's tourism, (ii) removing infrastructure bottlenecks, particularly roads providing access to protected areas, (iii) increasing supply or tourism services through private investments, and (iv) marketing Uganda.
 

                                   

NEWS RELEASE                                                           

Tourism generates US$1 billion (UGX2.7 trillion) for Uganda, Boosts Exports and Growth
Government and World Bank estimate that 100,000 additional tourists to Uganda would add 11 percent to exports and 1.6 percent to GDP

KAMPALA, August 1, 2013 – Tourists in Uganda spend a total of UGX 1.1 trillion, generating US$1 billion (UGX 2.7 trillion) in revenue annually, according to recent study on the tourism sector.  

This spending amounted to 38 percent of exports and generated 5.6 percent of 2012 GDP, making it the biggest source of national income for the country, according to the Economic and Statistical Analysis of Tourism in Uganda.

“Policy simulations show that attracting an extra 100,000  tourists to  Uganda would add 11 percent to exports and 1.6 percent to GDP, which would further boost the country’s efforts to reduce poverty and boosts its development prospects,” according to Kirk Hamilton, Lead Economist at the World Bank and the key author of the report. “If each tourist visiting Uganda stayed one additional night then exports would rise by 7 percent and GDP by one percent.”

The study conducted in 2012 by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA), in partnership with the World Bank and DFID, collected data from tourists leaving Uganda on how much they spent, how long they stayed, where they went, and surveyed their levels of satisfaction, and suggestions for improving tourism. .

The survey found 32 percent of foreign visitors and tourists came for business reasons, 11 percent for conferences, 17 percent for leisure, 20 percent for visiting friends and family, 5 percent for spiritual/religious purposes, and two percent for cultural tourism.

The survey also found that tourists were for the most part highly satisfied with their  trip to Uganda was high; however, respondents identified transport within Uganda and insufficient visitor information as well as the quality of customer service as the main areas for improvement.

The main policy intervention areas proposed by the study include:(i) investing in natural assets and management of national parks that drive Uganda's tourism, (ii) improving road and transport access to  areas of high tourist interest, along with other infrastructure services (iii) increasing supply or tourism services through private investment, and (iv) marketing Uganda as a tourist destination. .

“Investing more in infrastructure, particularly roads can lower the cost for tourists to visit the natural areas of Uganda. Reforms of the concession policy for tourism operators to increase transparency and security of tenure will boost private investment in the sector, said Hon. Maria Mutagamba, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. “Filling the skills gap in the sector will increase visitor satisfaction.”

The data show that leisure and cultural tourists spend 30-100 percent more than other types of tourists per visit to Uganda. These tourists are therefore an attractive target in government efforts to increase the economic contribution of the tourism sector.

“In order to attract more tourists to visit Uganda, the government has to adopt stronger ‘branding,’ of the country, use new media, strengthen links with travel agencies in source markets, and attract high-profile foreign operators,” said Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, World Bank Country Manager, Uganda. Going forward the new Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project that the World Bank Board approved of, will support Uganda’s tourism sector by first building a skilled tourism labor force through the rebuilding of the Hotel and Tourism Training Institute in Jinja; Second, through improving destination planning, product development and expanded global promotion and third, through supporting the Ministry and private sector collaboration. This will enable support to tourism and conservation..

THE WOLRD BANK HAS ENDORSED THE PROGRESS OF UGANDA'S (CAS)

The renewed emphasis on governance in Uganda has called for a review of the Bank’s approach.

WASHINGTON D.C, August 2, 2013 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors  has discussed and endorsed the progress report of the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for Uganda that will guide the support of the World Bank Group to the country for the remaining two years (2014-2015) of the CAS. The CAS is a key document that sets out the framework of cooperation between the World Bank Group and the Government of Uganda, and describes the Bank Group’s planned program in the country.

“This Progress Report shows that the objectives of the joint World Bank Group’s (WBG) Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for the period FY11-15 remain relevant; however, the Report proposes a significant adjustment to the lending instruments in order to maximize the impact of the WBG interventions,” said Philippe Dongier, World Bank’s Country Director for Tanzania,  Uganda and Burundi. “Assessment of the progress against CAS outcomes shows a mixed performance to-date with diminishing returns under the Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC) series, which has been under implementation for more than a decade. The Progress Report confirms that the CAS outcomes could be achieved provided the Bank adjusts its lending instrument mix and the Government of Uganda makes progress on two fronts—accelerating implementation and advancing governance reforms.”

The progress report of CAS continues to be aligned with the Uganda Government’s 2010-2015 National Development Plan (NDP), which sets an ambitious reform agenda to increase growth, employment and socio-economic transformation for prosperity to accelerate socio-economic transformation to achieve the National Vision of a transformed Ugandan society from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country within 30 years, while focusing on governance and reducing corruption to foster the country’s economic and social development.

“Corresponding to the dimensions of the Government’s NDP, over the remaining two years the Bank Group’s support to Uganda will be focused on the following three broad areas to help restore the path for faster economic growth and improve the governance environment: (i) Transformational operations and related investments; (ii) Selective development policy lending instrument in exceptional cases to support governance or sectoral reforms; and (iii) Support Uganda’s governance efforts” said Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, World Bank’s Country Manager in Uganda and Team Leader of the CASPR. “We will focus our interventions on fewer, larger and transformational projects with more emphasis on infrastructure, agricultural productivity and access to market, skills development that leads to more jobs, in addition to our continued investments in the social sectors”.

The Progress Report has been prepared in a context where renewed emphasis on governance in Uganda has called for a review of the Bank’s approach. This Progress Report proposes a new approach, as reflected in the three adjustments, which builds on measures to protect IDA funds, and supports Uganda’s efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in the use of public resources.

The CAS Progress Report describes: (i) recent developments in the country context (including emerging economic, social, political and governance challenges); (ii) progress made toward the CAS outcomes; (iii) implementation progress; (iv) lessons learned and adjustment to the WBG’s program (including updates to the results framework); and (v) an assessment of risks and mitigation measures.

* Uganda joined the World Bank in 1963, a year after obtaining independence. Since then, the Bank has provided over US$8 billion in financing, with more than US$7.30 billion in loans and credits, and more US$650 million in grants. As of August 2013, the Uganda portfolio comprised 14 International Development Association (IDA)-financed operations with a net commitment amount of US$1.372 billion. IDA is the arm of the Bank that lends to the poorest countries. In addition, there are four regional projects (environment, trade and transport, health and agriculture) with net commitments of US$94.0 for the Uganda components.

BRAVO PRESIDENT MUSEVENI FOR CHANGE OF HEART ON BUGANDA PROPERTIES

Government returns more Buganda assets

 

President Museveni met with top Buganda kingdom officials, including Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga (on his immediate right) and Prince David Wasajja (on his immediate left). PHOTO/PPU

The news today morning of President Yoweri Museveni having signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with top Buganda kingdom officials, paving way for the return of the kingdom’s properties is not easy to believe but true.  Thanks to the change of heart by His Excellence the President of Uganda.

President Yoweri Museveni met with the Buganda officials at State House, Entebbe Friday evening. PHOTO/PPU

Credit for the achievement goes to the former Katikkiro of Buganda Engineer J. B. Walusimbi for the approach he used that was not confrontational is the talks, and the fruits can be seen.  Thanks so much Owekitibwa J. B.

The central government has made key concessions with the Buganda kingdom leaders, announcing a return of some of the assets the latter have been demanding for two decades.

Among other things, it has been agreed that the central government will not restrict the Buganda king when he desires to tour his kingdom.  Museveni is understood to have said that there is only one Kabaka in Buganda.

This will be a significant concession, because until now Museveni has pursued a policy that has been seen as meant to weaken the Kabaka. The Museveni government has hitherto appeared eager to embrace and protect, even promote, anyone who claimed that he was a king in his area because his people are different from the Baganda.

In a statement, State House said it was agreed to return the following assets to Buganda kingdom:
-    Land holding markets
-    Land occupied by district, county, and sub county administrations.
-    A house in London that belonged to Sir Edward Mutesa II. The house, it is said, was bought by Mutesa, but was sold by the government later. Now, we understand, Museveni has committed to compensate Buganda for that property.

Buganda will also get compensation for land holding King Fahad Plaza.
While Buganda will be happy with the concessions made by Museveni, there will still be a clamour for others, such a federal political system and the return of some 9,000 square miles of land confiscated by the central government upon abolition of the kingdoms in 1967.

HIV/AIDS EFFORT BOOSTED IN UGANDA

Dr. Alex Godwin Coutinho of Uganda (Centre) poses with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (Right) after receiving the 2nd Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize for Medical Services category during the awards ceremony on the sidelines of the five-yearly Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama, Sub-urban Tokyo, on June 1, 2013. Japan said earlier on June 1 at the conference it would give 14 billion USD in aid to Africa over the next five years, as Tokyo scrambles to grab a share of resources and the potentially vast marketplace on offer.

WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL IN UGANDA GOVERNMENT ADJUSTING TO THE REQUIRED DONOR ACCOUNTABILITY STANDS SO AS TO GET BUDGET SUPPORT INSTEAD OF PUNISHING THE PEOPLE OF UGANDA WITH INCREASED TAXES GIVEN THE NON - PERFORMING ECONOMY?

WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL IN UGANDA GOVERNMENT ADJUSTING TO THE REQUIRED DONOR ACCOUNTABILITY STANDS SO AS TO GET BUDGET SUPPORT INSTEAD OF PUNISHING THE PEOPLE OF UGANDA WITH INCREASED TAXES GIVEN THE NON - PERFORMING ECONOMY?

 

WHY SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA KEEP CALLING FOR INVESTOR WHEN THEY COULD GET BILLIONS IN INVESTMENT IN PIONEER GO TO WASTE?

UGANDA’S PROBLEM IS BAD POLITICS

People have said time and again that you cannot seriously invest in a Banana republic.  When you imagine what the people of Uganda go through to travel and how expensive it is, then you get the almighty powerful who can get an investment like that of Pioneer to a halt without even coming up with a solution!

That is the caliber of leaders we have!  

Given the experience with Pioneer Buses, I don’t see how Government can continue calling for investors!  It is a disaster for the country!  Is it someone’s unfortunate ego.     

William Kituuka Kiwanuka

MORE LIGHT ON MUGWANYA PREPARATORY SCHOOL AND A PROPOSAL

All the 6 years I spent at St. Mary’s College Kisubi I thought that the school actually belonged to the Brothers of Christian Instruction.  I was not alone.  It was just in 2005 – 2006 when I worked on the History of the school for the Centenary Magazine that I got to know that the Catholic Arch diocese of Kampala owns the school.  It so happened that after the Brothers got into the teaching as well as management of the school, they took it as theirs.   

You may not believe, but the fact is that the Monument (above) in- front of the Brothers’ Chapel at Mount St. Teresa was initially at SMACK compound.  The removal followed the development that the Brothers seemed to have taken the school as theirs.

The Mugwanya Preparatory School connection is that, the facts remain that the school was founded by the Old Boys of St. Mary’s College Kisubi, following the Sisters who were running the school giving up continued management, yet SMACK OB’s wanted a junior school where their children would be groomed and eventually join SMACK.  The Brothers must have been called in to manage the school as the Old Boys could not take on the responsibility.

How the Brothers ended up owners of the school is not clear.  Nor the way the Brothers decided to have Kabojja to a fully fledged primary school, given that children from Kabojja were supposed to join SAVIO and thereafter to St. Mary’s College Kisubi, where at least about 20 – 25 children were sure of joining S. 1 yearly.   

This matter is not simple, however, if the current management of Kabojja can re- constitute the School Board so that its Chairman is an OB of SMACK, and at least one member from the Old Boys’ Association on the school board, because much as history may have been distorted, facts are facts and these were written in Luganda.  Even the amount of grant which Buganda Government gave the Old Boys in pounds can be got from the records.  The fact that Stanislaus Mugwanya was a Catholic Chief makes him seem to have been the provider of the land, but this was surely Buganda Government to which the credit has to go.